Boeing's B-29 Superfortress-based refueling tanker

May 29, 2013 |By AUBREY COHEN

Boeing delivered first KC-97F model 60 years ago

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The KC-97's Boeing-designed boom "had controls so the boom operator or 'boomer' could literally 'fly' the end of the boom from the KC-97 aerial tanker into the receiving airplane," according to a Boeing writeup.

Time Life Pictures/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

2of13

The KC-97's Boeing-designed boom "had controls so the boom operator or 'boomer' could literally 'fly' the end of the boom from the KC-97 aerial tanker into the receiving airplane," according to a Boeing writeup.